Pontiac
Effort aims to better Habitat for Humanity homes
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A two-year effort in suburban Detroit involving Lawrence Technological University is working to improve the design of homes for those served by Habitat for Humanity.
During the first semester of the collaboration, graduate architecture students conducted research into the needs of those who get housing through Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. During the second semester, they'll be designing structures. A home eventually will be built for an Oakland County family.
Department of Architecture Chairman Scott G. Shall, an associate professor in the Southfield-based school's College of Architecture and Design, is directing the effort. It began last fall of as a way to encourage architecture students to build viable communities.
"We looked at how a community can be developed, different ways of building that will be more inclusive, democratic and affordable," Shall said in a statement.
Shall's nonprofit, the International Design Clinic, and the university's makeLab fabrication workshop are also partners in the effort. Professors Jim Stevens and Ayodh Kamath, both members of the Lawrence Tech faculty, also are involved in the collaboration.
The hope, Shall said, is that the Lawrence Tech students' work will lead to "a way of designing and constructing the work that can house more families, more sustainably, for less money, while still building into the ideas of family and community and faith."
Tim Ruggles, CEO and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, said the effort "is not only education- and technology-driven, but it is really about grassroots community development - how do you improve the social fabric of a community through architecture and design?"
The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County has built and renovated homes for more than 190 families over the last two decades.
Detroit
Detroit Public Library to mark 150th anniversary
DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Public Library main branch is recognizing 150 years in operation.
A public anniversary celebration is planned from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the building in Detroit's Midtown.
The library opened in 1865 at what was Capitol High School downtown. The one-room library had a collection of 5,000 books. It now has more than 7 million volumes in the main building on Woodward and 21 neighborhood branches.
Executive Director Jo Anne Mondowney tells MLive.com that the library "has served as the community's living room, a place for education, exploration and inspiration."
The 100th anniversary of the library system's Burton Historical Collection, 75th anniversary of its Bookmobile program and 50th anniversary of the Junior Great books literacy program also will be celebrated this year.
Ann Arbor
U-M researchers building school in southwest Uganda
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Researchers from the University of Michigan are spearheading a fundraising effort to build a community school in southwest Uganda.
Nathan Chesterman and Aaron Sandel also are working to start a farm to support a lunch program at Kyakagunga (chah-kah-goongah) Primary School. The men studied at the Ann Arbor school and now work with Ngogo Chimpanzee Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit that raises money for research, conservation, and education efforts in Kibale National Park.
The organization is trying to raise $20,000 by April 2 to complete the school, which is located at the border of the national park, in an effort to alleviate poaching and poverty.
Grand Rapids
Parts of Lower Peninsula see risk of wildfires
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Officials say there's a risk of wildfires in parts of Michigan's Lower Peninsula amid recent dry weather.
The state Department of Natural Resources says that about 600 wildfires are reported in Michigan each year, mostly in April through June.
The Grand Rapids Press says several wildfires were reported this weekend in western Michigan, including one Saturday afternoon in the Lowell area. Others happened Sunday in Byron Center and Kent City. No injuries are reported.
National Weather Service says the fires come after Grand Rapids hasn't had measurable rain or snow since March 3, the area's longest dry stretch since 2002. Meteorologist Evan Webb says, "We're still pre-green up, so ... vegetation is dead and burns quite readily."
Rain is forecast for Tuesday into Wednesday in parts of Michigan.
Published: Tue, Mar 24, 2015
